Though we’d let that truck park in our driveway any ol’ day. Just sayin’.

Today’s object of our affection: jewel-heeled shoes. Because they’re so darn pretty. Because they were made for celebrating. Because they’re exactly what the well-heeled bride needs to complete her perfect wedding-day ensemble.

Photos: (clockwise, left to right) Brian Atwood~Paris Hilton~Miu Miu~TheCrystalSlipper~Giuseppe Zanotti~EvaCouture~Grace

Photos: (Box 1 clockwise) “Fanal” gown, La Sposa~Slingback, Christian Louboutin~Earrings, Libby Sweets~(Box 2 clockwise) Vintage Fred Leighton choker, Portero Luxury~Sunglasses, Vince Camuto~Sofa, Hancock & Moore~(Box 3 clockwise) Birdcage veil, Lady K Bridal~Bracelet, Luxe Deluxe~Vintage Bentley, Classic Limo~Chandelier, Garden Lights Plus~(Box 4 clockwise) Lingerie, Electric Wedding~Vintage Champagne glasses, Gilded Age Affaires~Bouquet, Aileen Tran

Rodo Crystal Peep-Toe Pump

The bling thing is so hot for 2011 weddings, if Swarovski weren’t family owned, we’d buy stock in ’em. The ubiquitous Austrian crystals and rhinestones are showing up on everything from invitations to linens to cakes (a la Susie Edwards’ dazzler on display at October’s I Do! Bridal Soiree @ ZaZa).

Lauren Jones Angel Peep-Toe

As for wearable sparkle, designers are doing amazing things with bling—from crystal- and rhinestone-encrusted belts and bodices to tiers of tulle sprinkled with tiny crystal beads for a dreamy, fairytale effect. But our hands-down favorite use of sparkle is on bridal footwear.

Christian Louboutin Marlena

Cinderella knew the effect of a twinkling shoe. Dorothy’s helped her find her way home. Your sparkling wedding-day shoes may just create a little magic of their own. At the very least, they’ll look incredibly glamorous peeping out from beneath your bridal gown.

Artyce Custom Shoes

Artyce Sandals

Choose shoes to match other accessories/details (sash, embroidery or beading, jewelry, etc), or set your colorful shoes against a backdrop of pure white or ivory. Either way, you’ll make a stunning statement as you make your way down the aisle.

And now, some of our favorite finds in colorful wedding footwear:

Joan David Demille (Previously available on Zappos.com)

Like a burst of sunshine, the brilliant yellow suede Demille by Joan & David makes for a beautiful springtime surprise, especially with that sweet little flower accent at the vamp.

Max Studio Scent

How about this lilac lovely from Max Studio? That shimmery satin, that romantic rosette, that sturdy slingback strap with built-in elastic (dancers, take note!)—perfect to pair with an ivory or champagne gown.

Valentino Pump

Nobody does red like Valentino. And there’s no red Valentino wedding shoe like the Bow Couture Pump. In rouge suede with covered platform, peep-toe and sculptural bow. Chic, bold, brilliant.

RSVP Lovely

This one from RSVP is called the Lovely, and we can see why. That crystal-encrusted heel? Fabulous. Comes in hot pink, too.

Rene Caovilla

Last but not least, the Floral Ruffle Sandal from Rene Caovilla is a destination bride’s dream. What could be more celebratory, more sophisticated, than the combination of gold leather, fuchsia/orange floral and crystal detail? What could be handier than the extra set of heel tips that come included with your pair?

We’ll miss the two mags’ timely features on fashion, reception décor, floral design, planning and more. But we at the
Houston Wedding Blog and Weddings in Houston magazine plan to work that much harder on seeking out the latest discoveries, tracking the most popular trends and bringing you the absolute best in EVERYTHING wedding from Houston and beyond.

New to the blog? Check out some of our most popular recent posts, like these great items on
Indian weddings, or this roundup of our favorite head-to-toe beauty finds. Searching for the perfect wedding shoes? Have a look at either these or these lovelies! Plus we’ve got handy tips on how to handle
kids at your wedding, figuring out whom and how much to tip, when and where to get a wedding license in Houston, and much, much more.

For those of you who love the heft and high-gloss inspiration of an honest-to-goodness print magazine (and what bride doesn’t?), the new issue of Weddings in Houston hits newsstands in January. Look for all your favorite departments and features, incredible photo spreads featuring the latest in gowns, cakes, floral and more, plus the most comprehensive guide to Houston’s ceremony and reception facilities (including information on size and capacity, rental fees and available services).

Still missing something? Tell us! If there’s a topic you want to see covered by the Houston Wedding Blog or Weddings in Houston magazine, email blog@weddingsinhouston and let us know. Be our most valuable resource for feedback and suggestions, and we’ll be your most valuable resource for wedding-planning advice and inspiration. Promise!

Think the selection of your wedding gown is just about the toughest choice you’ve ever had to make? You obviously haven’t gone wedding shoe shopping yet, Houston bride. Peep-toe or slingback? Flower or bow? High heel or ballet flat? The options are endless.

To settle on the perfect pair, consider your dress style. In general, narrower silhouettes are best paired with a show-off shoe, since it’s more likely to be on view. Ditto shorter dress styles, which look lovely with satin peep-toes, strappy sandals, sparkly wedges or even elegant ballet flats. Ballgown styles go well with platforms, slingbacks and pretty pumps.

While your shoes need not match your dress—champagne shoes are fine with a white gown; satin shoes go well with a tulle skirt—if you’re partial to embellishments, try to couple like with like (don’t mix heavily bejeweled footwear with a seed-pearl-encrusted gown, for instance).

A few more words of advice: Make sure you bring your wedding shoes (or a different pair of the same heel height) to all your gown fittings, to ensure your hem is the proper length. Also, you may want to buy two pairs of wedding shoes, particularly if you will be changing outfits between ceremony and reception. Even if you plan to party in your bridal finery, consider a comfier pair of reception shoes so you’re able to dance the night away painlessly.

And now, a few of our current favorite bridal shoe picks.

If your budget allows, you’ll want to have a look at these darlings from designers Christian Louboutin and Giuseppe Zanotti. Both are d’Orsay style, peep-toe, bow-accented and drop-dead gorgeous, but somehow they couldn’t be less alike. We love them both!

Christian Louboutin Carnaval Nodo Satin d’Orsay Pumps

Giuseppe Zanotti 80429 Wedding Shoe

Looking for something a little unconventional? Check out the Body Talk from Poetic License—a sweet satin T-strap with an adorable frill detail and sturdy, dance-friendly 3 ½ -inch heel.

Poetic License Body Talk

A pretty wedge combines (relative) comfort with modern style. We love the exceptionally affordable Shanika Wedge from Touch Ups with its rhinestone-accented buckle closures and dyeable satin upper, and the T-strap Nina Gamma evening sandal, with a cool Lucite heel and just a touch of bling.

Shanika Wedge

Nina Gamma Wedge

No matter what shoes you take a shine to, they’ll get an extra bit of wedding sparkle from Wedding Things’ Bridal Bling shoe-sole initials—perfect for trying out your new last name!